Ducky: 17w3d

[same_sky]

Today's prenatal appointment had a slow start (literally--they were almost an hour behind schedule) but a nice ending, for Ducky seems to be doing quite well. He was bouncing around wildly. They had a hard time listening to its heartbeat with the doppler because as soon as she located it, he would move somewhere else right away. This happened over and over, until the midwife had to keep stopping with the listening to giggle with the student and us about how active the baby was--in a semi-incredulous tone. After the heartbeat was successfully located and listened to (150bpm!) she started talking about feeling movement soon, if not already, and then she snickered and said, "THAT's gonna be distracting!" So, we are getting the feeling that the duckling is a bit more active than the average fetus, especially considering previous evidence. At my second prenatal visit, they also couldn't pin down the heartbeat. We could hear the swoosh-swoosh of movement, but not the heartbeat itself, so the doctor (who is my favorite of the three I've met so far) sent me off to have a quickie ultrasound. (The fun kind! Where I didn't have to take my pants off!) The ultrasound tech said that he most likely couldn't find it simply because it was moving around so much... sooo! We are now wondering about this active little one, since.. well. We are really not so much the active sorts ourselves! I mean, I took a walk for exercise, once. That about covers it. ;)

I didn't mention it because I hate to make people think I am obsessively worrying myself to death, but I was a little concerned about how Ducky was doing. I could feel him quite a lot during the week, but over the weekend, I felt nothing. I thought maybe that I was just noticing it less at home than at work since I sit still at work for the most part, but Monday was the same. Apparently, this is not so much the case. I'm looking forward to the big, sweeping movements that people can feel from the outside.

Let's see.. what else? We were offered the Alpha-fetoprotein screening, but we declined. I am so far pretty much a definite 'no' (from my personal background--I can think of plenty of reasons why I would change my mind in other circumstances) on any of the invasive tests that increase the chance of miscarriage, but this is apparently just a blood test. Still, you all know how I am--does a worrywart really need to take a test with a high rate of false positives? I think not. I was also informed that my urine looked good, and GOOD JOB on taking my prenatal vitamins! Oi. Bet you didn't have a detailed discussion about the color of your urine today, did you? ;)

And.. the next appointment is the One with the Ultrasound! January 17, and I will be 21 weeks. Here's hoping that Ducky isn't so active that day that we can't get a shot of the goods! It's scheduled for the afternoon so that it'll be easier for my mom to get down here in time, and so that I won't have to go back to work afterward.. that would kind of suck for her. I was a little pleased with myself for coming up with this plan and looking ahead to find the right date and time, because we were offered something much less convenient, originally. Four more weeks sounds like a long time...

Comments

[dbrus.livejournal.com]

Yay Ducky! Max didn't move all that much so I was always worried! I miss having him in there now. It's a cool feeling, like you are never alone...enjoy!

[same-sky.livejournal.com]

I am loving it so far. It's such a neat feeling!

[gissa.livejournal.com]

It's just because you named him Ducky that he swims around so much ;) Congrats on your good visit. I bet your mom will be so thrilled to see the ultrasound with you!

[same-sky.livejournal.com]

You're probably right. M does a great paddling Ducky impression of swimming around. I'm enjoying it a lot, though, when I can feel it! And yeah, mom is pretty excited about getting to see the ultrasound.

[carrieb.livejournal.com]

Yay for Ducky! She sounds like a great match for Erik since they are both so active. I´m going to continue in my stubborn belief that Ducky is a girl until the ultrasound says otherwise. I guess I have a 50-50 chance of beingright.

[same-sky.livejournal.com]

You're right, it's a match made in heaven! To be honest... I think it's a girl, too--I'm just less convinced than others in my household are. ;) It doesn't even sound right to me when I say "he", and even on my boy days, I slip and say "she" half the time. I guess we'll see in January.. if we can!

[e11en.livejournal.com]

Sounds good! I can't wait for you to have those big sweeping moments either! ;-)

[same-sky.livejournal.com]

Yep, looking good so far! The appointments always put me in a good mood.. that's part of why I wanted to do this one just before Christmas. As for the big sweeping movements.. M is pretty much looking forward to it too. :)